Von schulthess



y 1951 M. VON SCHULTHESS 2,552,753

APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING METAL COMPOUNDS BY ELECTROLYSIS Filed Dec. 5, 1946 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 17 t o 17 i j 1 I 37 INVENTOR M14 R77 1V VON SCHUZ THESS ATTORNEYS Patented May 15, 1951 APPARATUS FGR PRODUCING METAL CUR [POUNDS BY ELECTROLYSIS Martin von. Schulthess, Zurich, Switzerland Application December 5, 1946, Serial No. 714,189 In Switzerland December 11, 194.5

2 Claims.

This invention relates to electrolytic cells for the production of metal compounds and more particularly to cells primarily designed for producing copper compounds from pure copper or copper containing metal mixtures or alloys.

An object of the invention is to provide electrolytic cells capable of producing metal compounds in an efiicient manner both from a technical and economic point of View.

Broadly considered, the electrolytic apparatus of the present invention is exemplified by a cell constituting an anode chamber having at least one metal anode but preferably a plurality of anodes mounted therein between hollow, relatively flat cathode chambers, the walls of which facing the anode or anodes constitute the oathodes, the anodes and cathodes being separated by permeable diaphragms. The fiat anode or anodes are mounted in upright or vertical position between the cathode chambers.

The walls of the cathodes facing the anodes preferably are composed of perforated sheet iron or of iron wire mesh. Because of this construction they are hereinafter referred to as being permeable. The diaphragms may be composed of asbestos, felt or other suitable material. and preferably are attached to the cathodes them selves. They may enclose the flat cathode chambers on all sides exposed to or contacting with electrolyte. The anodes are constructed of the metal to be dissolved by the electrolytic reaction to be carried out in the cell. The anode may be of cast copper, but is preferably composed of mechanically pressed waste copper-contaim ing metal.

The cell is preferably provided with one or more carbon or magnetite electrodes mounted directly beneath the anodes. Each of the cathode chambers is provided with inlet conduits for the introduction of electrolyte thereinto from which the electrolyte flows into the anode chamber. At the bottom of the anode chamber a trough is provided beneath the anode or anodes for draining the electrolyte together with the formed precipitate. The anode chamber may be separated from the trough by a grid.

The invention is illustrated in its preferred embodiments by the accompanying drawing in which:

Figure l is a longitudinal elevation of a pre ferred embodiment with part of the casing broken away. Figure 2 is a cross-section on line 2-2 of Figure 1. Figure 3 is a cross-section through a second embodiment and Figure 4 is a top plan View of a third embodiment.

With particular reference to Figures 1 and 2, there is illustrated a cell having a casing Hl' constituting the walls of the anode chamber constructed of any suitable chemically resistant, electrically non-conducting material. In this chamber there are mounted a plurality of hollow cathodic chambers ii alternately arranged with a plurality of anodes i2. The walls 13 of the cathode chambers are permeable to permit pas of electrolyte therethrough. The cathodes i hare permeable diaphragms I4 secured thereto which preferably completely enclose the oathode chambers.

Each of the cathode chambers is provided with an inlet conduit it for the introduction of electrolyte and an outlet conduit [6 for the partial withdrawal of electrolyte from the said chamber. Each of them is also provided with a conduit I! for the removal of hydrogen or other gases developed or employed in the apparatus.

At the bottom of the cell there is an anodic electrolyte discharge trough l8 leading to a discharge conduit is which in turn is connected with a solids removal apparatus 28, illustrated only diagrammatically. From this apparatus 20 a conduit 2% is connected for recycling the utilizable part of the withdrawn electrolyte. This recycled electrolyte, assisted by any suitable means, is carried through the conduit 2| to the inlet conduits it connected to the tops of the cathode chambers. A valved conduit 22 is connected with the conduit 2H for the introduction of fresh electrolyte.

The cell is provided with a series of auxiliary electrodes 23 suitably constructed of graphite or magnetite mounted below the anodes I2. These electrodes are energized through the poles 24 on the side of the cell.

The cell is very satisfactorily supported in a U- shaped bracket having a horizontal flange 25 which supports the weight of the cell. As illustrated, the cell supported on one side by a rod ill leading to and embedded in the floor, the support being through an insulator 28 on top of the rod. At the other side the cell is supported from the ceiling by a rod 29 likewise connecting to the flange 28 through an insulator 28. If desired, both sides may be supported or both sides may be suspended.

he cell is provided with an inlet conduit 3! rating in the anodic chamber in the form of perforated pipe, through which air, oxygen, chlorine or other gas may be introduced.

With reference to Figure 3 illustrating a second embodiment of the invention, there is shown a of bolts 31.

a cell containing only two lateral cathode chambers ll having mounted therebetween a single anode l2. Additional anodes, however, may be contained therein. The anode I2 is flanked by the diaphragms M, the perforated cathodic plates 13 and the exterior side walls 35. These six elements (three on a side) are held together and to an internal U-shaped support 35 by means Where required, the said elements are held apart by means of a suitable packing material 38. The cathodes l3 and the exterior side walls 36 are reinforced with fiat iron frame strips 39. At the top of the cell there is a cover 4| for the anode chamber, serving the purpose of collecting the excess gases introduced into the cell or generated on the electrode 23 and which have not reacted in the anode chamber. This cover also serves the purpose of permitting reactions to be carried out in the anode chamber under gas pressure. The cell of this embodiment is also provided with the correspondingly numbered other elements hereinbefore described with reference to the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2.

With reference to Figure 4 illustrating a third the grooves 42 in the ends of the exterior cell walls ID. This embodiment is similar to the embodiment of Figure 3 to the extent that it is composed of two cathode chambers it having therebetween an anode I2. It is similar to Figure '1 to the extent that the exterior wall is a unitary structure and composed of like material of construction. with the correspondingly numbered inlets, cutlets and other elements illustrated in Figures 1 and 2.

The electrolytic cells of the present invention are particularly suitable for carrying out the processes of my prior applications Serial No. 616,467, filed September 14, 1945, and Serial No. 640,138, filed January 9, 1946. It is also suitable for production of the product of my application, Serial No. 628,672 filed November 14, 1945. (These applications have been abandoned and a continuation-in-part application, Serial Numher 134,126 has been filed in place thereof, on December 20, 1949.)

In accordance with a process of the first mentioned prior application an alkaline-chloride electrolyte is fed through a cell containing a copper anode. In the operation the copper chlorides and monovalent copper'oxides primarily produced are transformed into copper oxychloride in accordance with the following equation:

When, instead of cuprous oxide, copper hydroxide is initially produced the secondary reaction proceeds in accordance with the following equation:

When in place of cuprous oxide either bivalent copper oxide or copper hydroxide or chlorine is produced correspondingly less oxygen is required fo accomplishing the oxidation.

Compounds of metals other than copper may be produced by substantially the same reactions or by other reactions in the cells of the present invention. In such case a suitable electrolyte must be selected for the particular compound to be produced. In substantially all cases the metal of the anode is dissolved first and the final prod- This third embodiment is provided 7 compounds being formed on the anodes.

4 not is precipitated by secondary reactions with or without the addition of other substances. Such other substances may be either produced in the same cell or in some outside source and introduced into the cell. As in the process hereinbefore specifically described the metal ions produced in the electrolytic anodic solution generally are transformed into monovalent or polyvalent hydroxides through the action of OH ions. These metallic hydroxides may be withdrawn from the cell and used as such or they may be treated as intermediate products and employed for the production of other substances within or outside of the cells in which they are produced.

The compound produced in the anodic solution of the cells of the present invention are generally dispersed in very finely divided form and since they are produced in what may be considered the nascent state they enter easily into additional reactions. For this and other reasons the present invention has provided inlets beneath the anodes for the introduction of gases which when introduced will readily react with the metal Among the gase which may be introduced in the said conduit or formed on the hereinbefore mentioned electrodes are included chlorine, air, oxygen, carbon dioxide, sulfuric acid and the like. The introduction of the said gases may accomplish the conversion of the metal compounds initially formed either entirely or partly (according to the volume of the gases supplied) into chlorides, oxychlorides, basic sulphates, sulphates and carbonates.

The graphite or magnetite electrodes mounted below the anodes may be varied in size and the current supplied thereto may be lessened or increased in such manner as to provide chlorine or oxygen respectively in large or small amounts. Through these controls, the secondary reactions with the metal compounds formed on the anodes either may be totally completed or may be partially completed to provide mixtures of compounds in the final products obtained.

In the preferred operation of the process for obtaining increased yields the electrolyte is preferably fed directly into the cathode chambers and for the most part is caused to flow through the permeable cathode Walls, through the diaphragms and into the anode chamber from which it is discharged together with the precipitated compounds formed.

It should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the specific details of construction except where indicated in the claims appended hereto and that it extends to all equivalents which will occur to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the terms contained therein.

I claim:

1.. An apparatus for producing copper compounds from copper by electrolysis comprising a cell constituted by an anode chamber having at least one exposed copper metal anode mounted therein, a plurality of hollow, relatively flat cathode chambers mounted on the opposite sides of the anode, the walls of the cathode chambers facing the anode constituting the cathodes, inlet mean for introducing electrolyte into the cathode chambers from whence it flows tothe anode chamber, outlet conduit means leading from the bottom of the anode chamber capable of discharging anodic liquid and precipitates formed permeable diaphragms separating said anode and cathodes and a graphite electrode mounted in the anode chamber below the anodes.

2. An apparatus for producing compounds from metals by electrolysis comprising a cell constituted by an anode chamber having a plurality of exposed copper anodes mounted therein, a plurality of permeable iron-walled, hollow, relatively flat cathode chambers mounted on the opposite sides of the anodes, the walls of the cathode chambers facing the anodes constituting the cathodes, permeable diaphragms separating said anodes and cathodes, means for feeding electrolyte into each of the cathode chambers, outlet conduit means for discharging electrolyte from the anode chamber at its bottom, auxiliary graphite electrodes mounted below the copper anodes and an outlet pipe for the discharge of gas from each of the cathode chambers.

MARTIN voN SCHULTHESS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

6 UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 415,644 Kerner Now. 19, 1889 548,162 Hargreaves Oct. 15, 1895 5 563,972 Kroseberg July 14, 1896 1,105,015 Ayerst July 28, 1914 1,136,483 Porter Apr. 20, 1915 1,465,034 Antisell Aug. 14, 1923 1,788,512 Fireman Jan. 13, 1931 10 1,860,6 6 Kean May 31, 1932 1,862,244 Stuart June 7, 1932 1,866,065 Stuart July 5, 1932 2,093,770 Billiter Sept. 21, 1937 2,240,821 Young May 8, 1941 15 2,330,404 Burns Sept. 28, 1945 2,368,861 Means Feb. 6, 1945 20 ical Rubber Publishing 00., Cleveland, Ohio, 27th edition, 194344, page 380. 

1. AN APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING COPPER COMPOUNDS FROM COPPER BY ELECTROLYSIS COMPRISING A CELL CONSTITUTED BY AN ANODE CHAMBER HAVING AT LEAST ONE EXPOSED COPPER METAL ANODE MOUNTED THEREIN, A PLURALITY OF HOLLOW, RELATIVELY FLAT CATHODE CHAMBERS MOUNTED ON THE OPPOSITE SIDES OF THE ANODE, THE WALLS OF THE CATHODE CHAMBERS FACING THE ANODE CONSTITUTING THE CATHODES, INLET MEANS FOR INTRODUCING ELECTROLYTE INTO THE CATHODE CHAMBERS FROM WHENCE IT FLOWS TO THE ANODE CHAMBER, OUTLET CONDUIT MEANS LEADING FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE ANODE CHAMBER CAPABLE OF DISCHARGING ANODIC LIQUID AND PRECIPITATES FORMED PERMEABLE DIAPHRAGMS SEPARATING SAID ANODE AND CATHODES AND A GRAPHITE ELECTRODE MOUNTED IN THE ANODE CHAMBER BELOW THE ANODES. 